Young Tripura Entrepreneur Leads by Example

By Pinaki Das

A young female entrepreneur in Tripura is not only generating employment for people, but is doing her bit for the environment by converting waste to wealth. Alma Chowdhry is a housewife-turned-entrepreneur from Golchakkar village near the Indo- Bangladesh border in Tripura.

In 2007, she along with a team of 25-members formed Samrat Papers, an outfit to recycle waste paper, discarded paperboard and cartons with a small government loan.

"I had noticed that Indian wastepaper made its way illegally to Bangladesh so, I wanted to set up something here, which would create employment for our people," Chowdhry said.

"We set up the factory where we collect waste paper, recycle it and export the product to Bangladesh and other states. Many people today have got employment in our factory," she added.

A majority of over 70 workers at Samrat Papers are housewives, who now earn extra income that helps them in looking after their families.

"We work as part-time labour and earn an additional income of Rs. 1300 per month. This is a great opportunity to earn for our family," said Rupa Das, a worker.

"Earlier we were just housewives but after being employed here we are now earning members as well. This extra income helps in educating our children and also running our families smoothly," said Asma Begum, another worker.

The final products are sold in Tripura and other states.

Cardboard is exported to Bangladesh and helps earn foreign exchange.

Indeed! Salma Chowdhry's initiative has changed many lives in the non-descript village.ore significantly, her contribution to saving trees by recycling waste paper is noteworthy.